Combined switch and plug cap



Sept. 17, 1929. w p -r COMBINED SWITCH AND PLUG CAP Filed May. 21, 1926Patented Sept. 17, 1929 PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM HUPPEBT, OF NEW YORK, N.Y.

COMBINED SWITCH AND PLUG CA? Application filed Kay 21,

This invention relates to a cap for an electrical plug combined with aswitch therefor.

Pursuant to the preferred forms of my invent-ion, the cap for a plug,receptacle or like electrical device is provided ,with a switch,preferably of the rotary type, and arranged as a unit therewith, therebyaffording in a single unit an electrical cap combined with a switch foropening and closing the circuit through the terminals of the cap.

Further features and objects of the invention will be more fullyunderstood from the following detail description and the accom-, panyingdrawings, in which Fig. 1 is acentral sectional elevation of a preferredform of my invention, the section on which Fig. 1 is taken beingindicated as 1-1 on Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of Fig. 1

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation on line 33 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation on line 44 of fieferring to thedrawings, the combined cap switch comprises the base member 10, the capmember 11 and the bushing member 12, each of which is of bakelite orother suitable electrically insulated material. The base member 10 is ofany suitable contour and arrangement in conformity to any regulation orother approved socket, receptacle or the like to provide for theengagement of the uprights 13,14 or equivalent carried by the basemember 10 with the terminals of the socket, rece tacle or the like.

pecifically, the upright 13 isintegral with the base strip 15, locatedin position within the hollowed portion 16 of the base member 10 bymeans of the insert member 17, suitably secured within the circulardepression 18 in the base member 10, as by knurling the exterior face ofthe insert member 17. The base strip 15 is also secured in position bymeans of thescrew 19, tapped into a suitably threaded 'recess in thebasevmember 10. The upright 13 and its strip 15 are preferabl formed ofan integral stamping of brass or ike suitable electrically conductingmaterial of the desired shape and formation.

1926. Serial No. 110,804.

The upright 14 is similarly secured to its base strlp 20 and is locatedin position within the hollowed portion 16 of the base member 10 bymeans of its insert member 21, similar to the insert member 17. Theinsert member 21 is received within the circular depression 22 1n thebase member 10. The base strip 20 is also secured in position by meansof the screw 23, which serves also as a terminal of the cap switch. Theupright 14 and its base strip 20 are preferably formed of an integralstamping of brass or like suitable electrically conducting material ofthe desired shape and formation.

In co-operation with the switch parts, described more fully hereinafter,I provide the extension strip 24 of, brass or other suitableelectrically conducting material, which is located in posit-ion at itsone end by means of the eyelet 25, of brass or the like, extendingthrough the perforation 27 in the base member 10, the opposite ends 28,29, of which is swaged to engage with and make good electrical contactwith the base plate 30 of the i iring contact 31, of phosphorbronze orthe In the specific form of my invention illustrated in the drawings,the movable member of the switch proper is in the form of anelectrically bridging or connector plate 32 comprising the oppositelydisposed peripheral portions 33, 34 disposed in the plane of the body ofthe switch connector 32 and the flange portions 33, 34 extendinsubstantially at right angles to the perip eral portions 33, 34,respectively, servin as the contact terminals of the connector p ate 32.The central portion of the switch connector plate 32 is provided with acentral opening 35 to permit the entry therethrough of the cord 36formed of suitable insulating fabric and enclosing the circuitconductors 37 38, see Fig. 1.

Such switch connector plate 32 is mounted on and supported by theconnector'body 39, of bakelite or other suitable insulating material.The connector body 39 is preferably integral with the bushing member 12.

The other spring contact 40 of. phosphorbronze is disposed injuxtaposition to the v and 39 are preferably s aforesaid springcontaet31 relative to the contact flanges 33, 34 of the switch connector plate32. The base plate 41 of the spring contact 40 is secured in positionrelatively to the base member 10 by means of the eyelet 42 of brass orthe like. received within the perforation 43 in the base member 10, theopposite ends of the eyelet 42 being swa ed tohold the eyelet 42 andtherewith the ase 41 in proper position relative to the base member 10.The eyelet 42 serves also as a terminal, for which purpose it isprovided with an internal threadin 44 meshing with the threadin of theterminal screw 45.

e conductor, say, the conductor 37, is connected tothe terminal screw 45and the other conductor 38 is connected to the other terminal 23.

The conductor body 39 of the switch is provided with the radiallyextending toothed portions 39, 39",-39, 39, coacting with the springcontacts 31, 40 to hold the switch connector plate 32 and the switchparts per se in stable position for the circuit-closing and circuit-oening positions of the switch. Such toot 'ed ortions 39, 39", 39

haped to provide for a wiping contact engagement of the spring contacts31, 40 with the contact flanges 33, 34, and abrupt separation betweenthese parts at the instant of breaking of the circuit, and also forsubstantially instantaneous closure of the' circuit, for the respectivepositions of'rotative movement of the movable body portion of theswitch. To attain such object effectually, the engaging faces of thespring contacts ,31, 40 are concavely sha ed and the contact flanges 33,34 of the switch connector plate 32 are correspondingly convexedlyshaped.

The switch connector plate 32 is retained in position on the connectorbody .39 by the provision of the lugs 46 extending forwardly.

' of the forward face of the connector bod 39 and received within theperforations 4 in the switch connector plate 32, reinforced by the snugfit of the contact flanges 33', 34, about the lateral toothed faces ofthe connector body 39.

In the assembly of my combined cap and switch, the bushing 12 1spositioned within the cap member 11 and the cap member 11 is thensecured to the base member 10 by any suitable means, as by the provisionof the spaced screws 48, see Figs. 2 and 3, tapped within suitableinserts 49 disposed in the cap member 11 and provided with internalthreading.

In the use of my combined switch and capi the cord 36 is threadedthrough the centr o ening 50 of the bushing member 12, thence t roughthe central opening 51 of the base member 10, and the bared-wires of therespective conductors 37, 38 of the cord 36 are connected to therespective terminals 45, 23,

as aforesaid. The combined ca and switch is now prepared for insertion 0its uprights 13,14, or equivalent terminal parts, into ongagement withthe terminals of a socket, receptacle or the like, leading to the supplycircult.

Assuming the spring contacts 31, 40, to be m the positions shown in Fig.3, namely in engagement with the lateral faces of the connector body 39of insulating material, the swltch is in its open-circuiting position.To close the circuit, the bushing member 12 is manually grasped at itsexternal portion 12, for which purpose it is milled, knurled or thelike, and upon clockwise rotation, the connector body 39 and the switchconnector plate 32 are rotated in the direction of the arrow 51, seeFig. 3, relatively to the spring contacts 31, 40, whereupon the contactflanges 34, 33 are brought respectively into enga ement with the springcontacts 31,40, therriiy closing the circuit. The parts of the closedcircuit may be traced as follows: on the one side of the circuit, theconduct0r37, terminal screw 45, terminal eyelet 42, base plate 4 4,spring contact 40, contact flange 33, connector plate 32, contact flange34, spring contact 31, base plate 30, eyelet 26, connector plate 24,screw 19, base plate 15, upright ter minal 13, to one terminal of thesupply circuit. The opposite side of the circuit comprises the followingparts: conductor 38, terminal 23, base plate 20, upright terminal 44,and thence to the other terminal of the supply circuit.

From the above, it will appear that my invention provides for a combinedelectrical switch and a cap in a unitary construction and meeting allthe electrical and safety requirements of the Underwriters Associationrelating to fire hazards. The parts thereof are arranged to provide forruggedness of construction and for reduced over-all dimensions.

My invention is; highly advantageous in the low costs of the requiredmaterial and of the labor of the assembly of the parts.

Whereas, I have described my invention by reference to specific formsthereof, it will be understood that many changes and modifications maybe made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim: 1. The combination of a base having push contacts, a capthereon centrally chambered, a rotary switch member having an inwardportion r'evolubly mounted in the cap chamberand an outward knobportion, said switch member being axially-apertured to receive atwo-wire cable about which it rotates, stationary contacts in the cap,rotary snap-contact means actuated by the knob, a terminal connected toone of the stationary contacts for direct connection of one of the cablewires, and another terminal connected to one of the push contacts forconnection to the other cable wire, the other ush contact beingelectrically connected to t e other stationary contact, the terminalsbeing accessible at the end of the base remote from the switch knob andadjacent the push contacts for connection of the separate wires of thecable inserted through the switch member and the base.

2. The combination of a base having push contacts, a cap thereoncentrally chambered and having at its outward end an internal flange, arotary switch member having an inward portion revolublymounted in thecap chamber and an outward knob portion and also having a peripheralflange cooperating with the cap flange to prevent outward displacementof the switch member, said switch member being axially apertured toreceive a two-wire cable about which it rotates, stationary contacts inthe cap, rotary snap-contact means actuatedby the knob, a terminalconnected to one of the stationary contacts for direct connection of oneof the cable wires, and another terminal connected to one of the pushcontacts for connection to the other cable wire, the other push contactbeing electrically connected to the other stations ry contact, theterminals being accessible at the end of the base remote from the switchknob and adjacent the push contacts for connection of the separate wiresof the cable inserted through the switch member and the base.

3. The combination of a base having push contacts, a cap thereoncentrally chambered,

a rotary switch member having an inward portion revolubly mounted in thecap chamber and an outward knob portion, said switch member beingaxially apertured to receive a two-wire cable about which it rotates,stationary contacts in the cap, rotary snap-contact means actuated bythe knob, a contact strip mounted on an inward face of the base, saidone of the push contacts and strip carryin fling post for directconnection having a bin of one of the cable-wires, another contact stripsimilarly mounted and carrying the other of said push contacts and alsoelectrically connected to one of said stationary contacts, and aterminal connected to the other stationary contact and adapted fordirect connection to the other cable wire, the terminals beingaccessible at the end of the base remote from the switch knob andadjacent the push contacts for connection of the separate wires of thecable inserted through the switch member and the base.

4. A combined push plug and switch adapted for cooperation with a plugsocket or analogous electric fitting and comprising a base of insulatinmaterial of substantially disc form and havmg an open chambered face,prong contacts secured to the base and projecting from said open face,terminals secured to said base and accessible from the open end of thechamber for connection of of insulating material fixedly secured to thebase at the end opposite the prongs and open face of the chamber, thecap being also chambered and having a flange at its end opposite saidbase, a switch bod of insulating material centrally aperture co-axiallywith said base and cap, having a contact-supporting portion within thecap chamber and also a flange therein co-operating with the cap flangeto secure the switch body rotatably in position, the switch body alsoincluding a'knob portion projecting beyond the cap at the end oppositethe contact prongs, and stationary switch contacts within the capchamber in circuit with said terminals, the cable being insertableaxially through the switch body and base for connection of its separatewires to said terminals.

5. A combined push plug and switch adapted for cooperation with a plugsocket or analogous electric fitting and comprising ,a base ofinsulating material of substantially disc form and having an openchambered face, prong contacts secured to the base and projecting fromsaid open face, terminals secured to said base and accessible. from theopen endof the chamber for connection of the separate wires of atwo-wire cable, a ca .of insulating material fixedly secured to the aseat the end opposite the prongs and open face of the chamber the cap eingalso chambered and having a flange at its end opposite said base, aswitch body of insulating material centrally apertured co-axially withsaid base and cap, having a contact-sup orting portion within thecapchamber an also a flange therein co-operating with the cap flange tosecure the switch body rotatably in position, the switch body alsoincluding a knob portion projecting beyond the cap at the end oppositethe contact prongs, stationary switch contacts within the cap chamber incircuit with said terminals, the cable being insertable axially throu hthe switch body and base for connection 0 its separate wires to saidterminals, one of said terminals being directly connected to one of thepron contacts, the other terminal being insulated rom the other prongcontact, a connection from the last named prong contact to one of thestationary contacts in the cap chamber, and a connection from the lastnamed terminal to the other stationary contact in the cap chamber. Intestimony whereof I have signed this

